New 100-year coastal strategy adopted to protect thousands of homes
BCP Council has approved a joint 100-year plan to manage coastal flooding and erosion
A new long-term strategy setting out how coastal flooding and erosion risks will be managed across Christchurch Bay and Harbour over the next century has been formally adopted by two councils.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council and New Forest District Council have approved the joint plan, which covers the coastline from Hengistbury Head Long Groyne to Hurst Spit, including Christchurch Harbour.
Developed in partnership with the Environment Agency and technical consultants, it warns that ageing coastal defences and climate change put more than 3,500 properties at risk of flooding or being lost to erosion.
The strategy estimates that if no action were taken over the next 100 years, the area could suffer around £1billion worth of damage.
BCP Councillor Andy Hadley described the adoption of the strategy as a “major milestone”.
“This is the first time a cohesive strategy has been adopted for this stretch of coastline,” he said. “It recommends where and by when schemes should be implemented, how much they may cost, and crucially ensures that works carried out in one area will not have a detrimental effect elsewhere.”
Under current national funding rules, central government support is unlikely to cover the full cost of new defences.
As part of the strategy’s adoption, the councils have committed to identifying how funding shortfalls over the next 20 years can be addressed.
New Forest District Councillor Geoffrey Blunden said: “Although there is no guarantee of achieving full government funding, the strategy provides clarity for seeking support from partners and impacted communities.
“By working together, we intend to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the coastline.”
If additional funding cannot be secured, the strategy would default to maintaining existing defences for as long as it is feasible.